Condemns terror

People sometimes say (incorrectly) that Muslims do not condemn acts of terror when they occur.

I am writing to you on behalf of all of the Muslim men, women and children affiliated with Louisville's River Road Mosque to share with the readers of The Courier-Journal the fact that we condemn in the strongest words possible the terrible and disgusting act of terror that occurred this week in Boston - no matter who committed it.

No true Muslim condones acts of terror. Those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are not truly Muslims (despite their claim to the contrary).

The word Islam literally means "peace." But it also means "submission to the will of Allah (or God)." God could not and would not condone the taking of innocent lives.

We hope that those responsible for the hideous acts that killed and injured so many people at the Boston Marathon will soon be arrested, and that they will feel, as our president says, "the full weight of justice."

MUHAMMAD BABAR, M.D.

River Road Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center

Louisville, Kentucky 40059

Boston Marathon

It would be my hope that once they catch the person or persons that are responsible for the Boston Massacre that the media never post his name or photo, they don't tell us a thing about them, their family or their pathetic life. Let the media fill the news with stories about the heroes that saved lives, the police, the doctors, nurses, volunteers, and just regular people that were there and ran into the danger, not the evil that caused it.

Tell us about the victims and their stories of overcoming this tragedy and survival. This may help prevent another weak-minded individual from thinking they can be famous by taking the things we love away from us.

STEVE DOUGLAS

Louisville 40205

Fighting back

Marc Murphy's take on the Boston Marathon attack I think is very misguided. I am certainly NOT afraid, insecure or terrorized by the attack. Rather, I am furious, angry and want to fight back. Boston and America are far stronger than he portrays.

KATHY CAIL

University of Massachusetts-Amherst Class of 1995

Louisville 40241

They'll spend money in West Virginia

Since both Kentucky senators voted against the reasonable gun control bill this week, my family will be vacationing and spending our money in West Virginia this summer, where they have U.S. senators who actually work to make things better for people and are not beholden to the National Rifle Association.

We will vote with our dollars this year, and will work to elect new Kentucky senators at the next opportunity.